REVIEWS

Review of "Birds Of A Feather" by chaindlk.com:

"Behind this German name hides another self-released debut of an US-based Electro/Industrial act hailing from St. Louis, Missouri. This project consists mainly of Michael, who's doing almost all production and vocals, and Natalie, who does some live synth work. Engelmacher describes metaphorically the term of population control, and this act just could enter a free slot on the international renowned Interbreeding compilation series (Interbreeding IX – Kuru, just out while I'm writing this...) of the BLC Productions label. Now out with this first CD which presents the musically dimension somewhere between dancefloor-compatible Electropop tunes up to pounding EBM/Dark Electro-related tracks. Both opening tracks, "Retribution" and "Circumstance" are harder-edged danceable Dark Electro tunes (NOT Trance-inspired Hellektro...) with distorted, whispering-like vocals and remind strong on some works of INFORMÄTIK or older EVILS TOY – for sure not a bad reference. Things get a bit smoother with some catchy Future-/Electropop-inspired works like "Bypass", "Useless Gestures" or "Thrust". Also the vocals on this tracks are rather clear and naturally placed, without the use of uncountable effects. With "Devotion" this act proves that they can also deal with some slower and rather creepy tunes. It has to mention that the programming abilities of this act and the detailed worked-out synth textures are the winning points for this production, the arrangements and sounds are well-thought and installed. Nice artwork too, so this is one of the most promising and still unsigned newcomer acts around. A strong recommendation to purchase this fine item, also for some labels a quality tip to give it a try... "
Review by: Marc Tater of Chain D.L.K. - 1.26.07


Review of "Birds Of A Feather" by elektrosyndikate.com:

"Another excellent debut album for this semester, is the one from the american duo Engelmacher, recently finished. It is called "Birds Of a Feather". The album brings 8 excellent tracks in an intelligent symbiosis between the EBM, Dark Electro and Industrial. Certainly a work that will please the major part of the underground electronic music fans. What called my attention in Engelmacher, beyond the excellent production and good taste of the arrangements and timbers , is that the band does not arrest itself in the formula of saturated harsh vocals, and typical characteristics of the majority of the Dark Electro and Industrial bands. Tracks such as "Bypass", "Useless Gestures", "Thrust" and "All In Good Time (Reprise)" are a clear example of versatility in the matter, voice. It reminds me the vocals of Eskil Simonsson, from Covenant! Congratulations to Michael for the results of this huge work. I hope that all the participants of this list have the chance to hear "Birds Of a Feather". I also use this one to for inform them that the track "Circumstance" will be part of my set at the next M.E.C.A.T.R.O.N.I.C. A party that will be carried through 20th april."
Review by: by Antonio Carvalho jr (aka. DJ AC of elektrosyndikate.com.)


Review of "Birds of a Feather" by ReGen:

Birds of a Feather is a semi-industrial but predominantly electronica album that has obvious influences from VNV nation and KMFDM.
Engelmacher's debut album combines the best of EBM, industrial, and semi-trance electronica for a sound that provides a colorful and vibrant conductor for the subtle lyrics delivered by Michael's very versatile voice. The album Birds of a Feather opens with "Retribution," in which the whispering lyrics, rapid fire electronic effects, and varying dance beats wrapped in quality production work set the tone for the entire listening experience. "Circumstance" wreaks of :Wumpscut:'s album Wreath of Barbs with its ambient-woven electronic threads and apocalyptic lyrics. From there, the album transitions from an industrial/EBM feel to a more electronica feel. "Bypass" is what you would get if VNV ever did a trance release. Needless to say, if you like trance, you'll love this track. "Useless Gestures" shows the skill Michael has in processing his vocals. Instead of the whispering vocals heard in almost all of the previous tracks, the vocals on this particular track are clearer, though still processed with an almost liquid effect that gives the overlay among the EBM beats and the racing electronica an epic feel, which is extremely smooth compared to the next track "Thrust." This track pulls you straight back into a more traditional darkwave dance mix of robotic electronic effects and stompy beats. The vocals are laid over lightly with an effect that resembles the voice of Bit from the movie Tron. "Birds of a Feather" is probably the most mellow track on the album, and yet still danceable. The album wraps up with "All in Good Time" and "Devotion," presenting the listener with semi-slow groove dark EBM dance tracks that are reminiscent of Anders Manga's newest release. On the whole, the album is excellently produced. The tracks, at times, get a bit repetitive, but they remain danceable throughout, making Birds of a Feather a good grab for any darkwave dance DJ.
Review by: DJ Infam0us of ReGen - 7.11.07


Review of "Birds of a Feather" by Grave Concerns:

Engelmacher's new CD starts out predictably enough, seemingly another entry in the glut of competent if not overwhelming terror EBM acts. "Retribution" features the expected pounding drum machine and distorted vocals, this time in a whispered rasp rather than a distorted scream, backed by tense synths and lots of reverb. "Circumstance" is more of the same, with a touch more futuristic atmosphere and a touch less spookiness. By the time third track "Bypass" kicks in, though, things start to display a surprising amount of variety. While Engelmacher never departs from the basic themes of EBM, at the very least the project manages to avoid sticking with the formulas of a specific subgenre. "Bypass" is bouncier, with melodic vocals straining to burst out from under raw club beats and buzzing synths, and "Thrust" manages to evoke some real emotion by playing bittersweet major key arpeggios with haunting minor key harmonies. Title track "Birds of a Feather" moves back into terror EBM territory, but this time with hints of ethereal pads and computer-generated choirs for a darkly majestic effect that calls to mind Psyclon Nine, while "Devotion" ends things with more creepy whispers set to a pulsing electro kick. As promised by recent appearances on compilations from Alfa Matrix and BLC Productions, Engelmacher has delivered a solid debut, sure to appeal club regulars and casual fans alike.
Reviewed by: Matthew Johnson of Grave Concerns 10.22.07


INTERVIEWS

Chain D.L.K. interview with Michael of Engelmacher:

"After a highly acclaimed appearance on BLC Productions "Interbreeding IX: Kuru" compilation and the release of the debut album "Birds Of A Feather", the US-based act Engelmacher can be surely called for being one of the most promising newcomer acts of Electro/EBM/Industrial music of the first half year 2K7. Producer and man behind this project is Michael, who installs a varied kind of Dark Electro elements with a danceable Electro-Pop tunes, acts like Informätik or Object can be called as comparable references. Having his female partner Natalie on his side being responsible for live synths, the story of Engelmacher continues with the appearance on the Alfa Matrix/Vampirefreaks quadruple CD compilation "Fuxx The Mainstream" and some more promising plans for the fall. Michael likes to introduce us the project Engelmacher and he refers about the how, when and where in this interview..."
[click here to read the full interview]

Grave Concerns interview with Michael of Engelmacher by Lynda Dale Maclean. [Click here to read interview]

ARTICLES

This is an article written by Kathleen Sharkey of carpenocturne.com

"Born from a childhood love of music, Engelmacher was begun by Michael after his love affair with the symphonic piano gave way to a gift with a synthesizer. It was through this new passion that Michael found an outlet for expressing his own innovative view of the world. In 2005 he was joined by Natalie who plays live synthesizer to draw Engelmacher into the elite of dance floor musicians. The name Engelmacher was a term used for women who let small and in particular illegitimate care children die intentionally. A dark term and a view of dark social morays, but strangely enough the perfect name for a band whose driving force is the revelation of social defects. By using Electro-Industrial music and the phylogenic history of man’s indifference for fellow man Engelmacher has created an effusive denunciation of said human indifference."
(Click here to read more)